In his editorial (1), Dr. Davidoff makes a comparison between ethical principles and laws, noting that ethical principles are not laws, but like laws they guide and shape behavior.

I would add that ethics, which are principles of honorable conduct, are higher than law, the latter being a rule of conduct enforced by a controlling authority. Part of medicine's current problem in maintaining professionalism is some confusion over this distinction, and the belief that “if it's legal, it must be ethical.” I believe that the principles developed by the Tavistock group provide a simple and comprehensive way to remember what honorable conduct means.